This little Christmas show is the most wholesome thing on Netflix.

Christmas movies are seemingly getting more bountiful every year. Between the streaming services and the old reliable Hallmark movies, there's no holiday film shortage in sight.

I would know, I've watched almost all of them.

But five years ago, a little Christmas series came along that pulled at my heartstrings harder than any other of the 150 Netflix movies to follow.

This was the 2020 series, Dash and Lily. Heard of it? Probably. But have you thought about it in recent years? Probably not.

This show had no right to be just so good.

Set against the backdrop of a snow-dusted New York City, Dash and Lily is a charming eight-episode holiday teen romantic comedy.

The series is based on the popular young adult novel Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, known for their previous collaboration Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Watch the trailer. Post continues after video.

This underrated gem is a refreshing and whimsical take on the holiday rom-com genre.

The plot centers on two teenagers with vastly different outlooks on life — and the holidays.

Lily is a cheerful optimist who finds herself facing a lonely Christmas when her family leaves town. In an effort to find a kindred spirit, she leaves a red notebook filled with a set of instructions for a stranger on a shelf at the Strand Bookstore.

The notebook is discovered by Dash, a cynical and sardonic teenager who would rather spend the holidays hiding from the world than being a part of it.

As Lily and Dash pass the notebook back and forth through various locations in the city, they share their inner thoughts and challenge one another to step outside their comfort zones. For instance, Dash has to act like a fool at Macy's and Lily has to brave a nightclub for the first time.

In the process, they fall in love with a person they have never actually met.

Image: Netflix.

The cast of this cute little rom-com is the glue that holds this story together. Euphoria's Austin Abrams stars as the brooding Dash, while The Sex Lives of College Girls' star Midori Francis portrays the sentimental Lily.

These two manage to have strong chemistry — even though they spend the majority of the season apart.

As characters, Dash and Lily are written as well-rounded individuals with relatable insecurities, rich back stories and realistic flaws. This shouldn't be a rarity but for a Netflix holiday offering, this is a huge deal.

The supporting cast is all super strong, especially Troy Iwata as Langston, Lily's brother, who encourages her romantic adventures.

But what truly sets Dash and Lily apart is the setting.

In many ways, New York City is a third lead character in the film. The production filmed on location during fall and winter, which means the show features many iconic landmarks and hidden gems, like the Strand Bookstore, Grand Central Terminal, Union Square Holiday Market, Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery and Cha-An Teahouse, a Japanese tea house where Dash attends a mochi-making class.

The result makes this little show feel much more authentic and grounded than Netflix's typical overly artificial holiday fare.

Image: Netflix.

Dash and Lily is a surprisingly soulful and sophisticated departure from Netflix's typical holiday rom-coms. Sure, it has plenty of festive fluff ('tis the season and all that), but these moments are balanced with genuine emotional depth and a love story want to invest in.

The literary layer to this series works in perfect synchronicity.

Both characters are bookish, and they view their lives through a literary lens. Throughout the series, they're crafting a story for each other. The whimsy of a scavenger hunt across Manhattan turns the city into a living book, and in the eternal words of Natasha Bedingfield, for these two… the rest is still unwritten.

So do yourself a favour this Christmas and watch this perfect weekend binge, a delightful watch and a calming brain balm this holiday season.

Feature image: Netflix.